Committee conditionally approves 2025 Labor Day parade permit pending agreed route with police

The Public Health and Safety Committee voted Monday to approve a Class 1 special-event license for the 2025 WASA Labor Day Parade on the condition that the parade organizer and the Wausau Police Department finalize an acceptable route.

The committee’s approval was explicitly contingent on a delineated route agreed between the organizer and police. Committee members and staff emphasized public-safety considerations and minimizing disruption to key thoroughfares while preserving the community’s desire to end the parade at the Labor Temple.

Why it matters: Parade routing affects public safety, traffic flow and the ability of organizers to stage participants. The committee wants a single, manageable route that staff can police and protect while accommodating participants and spectators.

Key points from the discussion

- The organizer proposed a route that would end at the Labor Temple on Third Avenue. Staff and police said they are working with the organizer to find an option that allows spectators at the Labor Temple to see the parade without closing multiple main thoroughfares at once.

- The police chief said, “we're not in favor of shutting down First Avenue, Third Avenue, and Stewart Avenue all at the same time,” and described a few operational alternatives. One option discussed would start at Marathon Park, proceed down Stewart Avenue, temporarily close Third Avenue north of the Labor Temple so the parade can reverse briefly past the temple, then return floats to Marathon Park without tying up major north-south and east-west thoroughfares.

- Staff noted the Christmas parade route and the Memorial Day routing as precedents and suggested staging in the park may simplify lineup and crowd-control logistics.

Motion and outcome

Carol, committee member, moved to approve the Class 1 event permit contingent on an acceptable delineated route between the organizer and police; Watson, committee member, seconded. The committee voted by voice; members signaled “aye” and no members opposed. The motion carried.

Next steps

Police and the organizer will finalize the route. Once they agree, staff will issue the permit and perform any required follow-up work such as traffic control plans and signage.

Speakers quoted or cited

- Chief (role as recorded in meeting) — described routing constraints and alternatives. - Carol, committee member (mover) - Watson, committee member (second)

Ending

The conditional approval allows organizers to continue planning while police and staff finalize a route that balances safety and traffic impacts. The permit will be issued after the delineated route is accepted by police and the organizer.